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SR 19 construction begins today

ELKHART – The Indiana Department of Transportation announced that Indiana Avenue east of SR 19 (Nappanee Street) in Elkhart is scheduled for a 40-day closure, beginning on today as part of the SR 19 road construction project. The closure, which is required for the contractor to reconstruct the approaches to SR 19 and add improved drainage features, is expected to end in late November, weather permitting.
The eastern leg of Franklin Street, which has been closed to construct the new alignment of this intersection, is expected to open today as well. The local traffic detour for southbound SR 19 to Indiana Avenue will be SR 19 to Lusher Avenue to Oakland Avenue to Indiana Avenue. The local traffic detour for northbound SR 19 to Indiana Avenue will be Franklin Street to Indiana Avenue.
The eastern leg of Pennsylvania Avenue, which has also been closed to traffic during the current construction phase, is expected to open as well, although the street will require additional work at a later date. Southbound SR 19 traffic will be allowed to make left turns on the Pennsylvania Avenue once it is open. Left turns from southbound SR 19 to Franklin Avenue will not be allowed during this construction phase. Motorists should be aware that left turns onto Pennsylvania Avenue will likely cause significant backups and delays, and should be avoided if at all possible.
The SR 19 reconstruction project consists of complete pavement replacement from Lusher Avenue to Beardsley Avenue to accommodate a 5-lane concrete roadway with a bi-directional turn lane. This will match the portions of SR 19 north of Beardsley Avenue and south of Lusher Avenue. The project will also include rehabilitation of the bridge over the St. Joseph River; installation of sidewalks; curb and gutter; ADA ramps; storm sewer system; new traffic signals; and pedestrian crosswalks with pushbuttons at Franklin Street, Indiana Avenue, Lexington Avenue, and Bypass Road.
INDOT would like to remind drivers to use caution and consider worker safety when driving through a construction zone.
For more information, visit www.in.god/indot